Hand held Blender/Blitzer

I also have a bamix pricey but good envy of my pals

Look out for one with a metal stick, jam gets really hot.
Think the the stick blenders are one of the most useful gadgets ever invented, think milk shakes, mayo, lumpy gravy fixer.

I've had my Moulinex stick blender for donkeys years. Still going strong. Damn, now I've said that, it will probably give up the ghost....

I have this minute just whizzed up the lunch time soup - I find mine invaluable for stuff like that as it can be done on the pot in which you’ve cooked your soup without all the faffing about.

I was first introduced to these when au pairing in France as a gel - way back.

Now, the French have a very laid back attitude to making cakes, and the lady of the house used a chocolate cake recipe involving melted chocolate She would mix through with the stick blender to get the lumps out of the flour.

I use one for lots of things, too, these days - the nice thing is they fit into a coffee mug and can be used to whip up one single egg for brushing the tops of pies. I even stir my cocoa with it! I think I got it free with coupons from somewhere.

I still smile when I use mine and remember the Two Fat Ladies calling theirs the "kitchen vibrator".

I have one, and I wish someone would tell me how to use it without splattering stuff all around.

Fennel, I find using a tall, deep receptacle prevents splashes.

Thanks Blinko, I'll try that next time .

Mine came with a shield which you can put it through which then rests on the top of the receptacle you are mixing in. Otherwise just make sure the blades are well under the surface before you switch on and throughout the mixing.

As far my knowledge is concerned, you can go with black and decker blender which works absolutely fine and I can tell you out of my personal experience.